Fears knifeman in Jonny attack could strike again

Dublin defender Jonny Cooper is continuing to make a recovery at home from the shocking stabbing attack he suffered at the weekend.

Garda officers investigating the frenzied attack are anxious for an early arrest as the thug is regarded as highly dangerous and could strike again.

Officers say they are satisfied with the progress made in their inquiries since the attack in the early hours of Saturday last.

manhunt

As the manhunt for the attacker continues, the Cooper family say they cannot make any comment while the garda investigation is ongoing, but it is understood Jonny is making good progress and is up and about while being looked after by family near Drumcondra.

Gardai took the unusual step of launching an appeal on the CrimeCall programme on RTE on Monday night just days after the attack to appeal for help to find the violent attacker.

They showed still images of the main suspect in the attack which happened on Dorset Street at about 5.30am on Saturday morning.

The footage from the CCTV cameras that recorded the attack were too graphic to be shown on television, gardai decided.

Officers have now obtained additional footage, which they believe will boost their investigation and are also awaiting the completion of a number of forensic examinations.

From the footage studied so far, they believe that the attacker is Irish.

Jonny (24) was stabbed repeatedly around the head, shoulders and face as the lone attacker robbed him of his wallet. Investigators fear the attacker could act in a similar way again.